Leeds Rhinos aiming to exploit the ‘morale high ground’ says James Donaldson

The 28-year-old is confident Rhinos are in far better shape now – five days out from their opening Betfred Super League fixture at home to Hull – than they were when he joined them a year ago.

Donaldson began training with Leeds as a trialist at Christmas, 2018, after being released by Hull KR.

The former Bradford Bulls man signed a one-year contract last January and, after a string of energetic performances in the pack, that was later extended until the end of 2021.

Last season was traumatic for Rhinos who parted company with coach Dave Furner in May and were in serious danger of relegation until finding some form in the second half of the year.

New coach Richard Agar has had a full pre-season to work with the team, the majority of them having been in from day one of training, and Donaldson is adamant the outlook is much brighter now.

“There’s great team morale around the place,” said the hard-working Cumbrian who scored one try in 25 games for Leeds last year, all but three of those being as a substitute.

“We’ve taken some big strides in our fitness, I don’t think we were quite there last year and it has been tough, but I think we all feel ready and definitely excited towards what’s to come this year for us.”

Fitness has been only part of Rhinos’ pre-season focus.

“I think skill comes first,” Donaldson added.

“Our skill level definitely needed to be better, but fitness always helps you; it gets you through the tough times and brings you through the other side. Fitness is massive, but our skill needed to improve as well and I think we are starting to get to where we wanted to be.”

Rhinos won their three first-team warm-up games, beating Wakefield Trinity on Boxing Day and Bradford Bulls in Jamie Jones-Buchanan’s testimonial game before hitting back from 10-0 down to take a rare victory from Wigan Warriors’ DW Stadium. Donaldson said that run will send them into Sunday in buoyant mood, though also knowing Hull will be a big step up.

He recalled: “Wakey had a bit of a young team out, a bit of a mix and Bradford came out firing, trying to knock us down, but we managed to weather that and then we went away to Wigan and in the first half they had their best team out.

“We defended our line pretty strongly and we can take a lot of encouragement out of that but, at the same time, take some pointers on where we need to improve.

“You need to play these top teams to know where you’re at.”

Hull have recruited strongly, particularly in the pack and Donaldson predicted Sunday’s game – the second part of an Emerald Headingley double-header also featuring Castleford Tigers against Toronto Wolfpack – will be a good gauge of Rhinos’ progress.

“They have size right across the board,” he said of this week’s visitors.

“Their pack is built on size and power so it will be a great test for our middles to go up against them and match them and more.”

Known as a second-rower, Donaldson also played in the middle of the field last year and expects to be filling the same role this term.

He said: “I presume I’ll be playing off the bench, as I have been.

“I am quite comfortable with that role and bringing a big impact off the bench when I can, a bit of energy to the boys.

“I will play anywhere I am needed, whatever’s best for the team.”